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Rev. [[Archimandrite]] '''Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos''' (Greek: ''' ''Χρυσόστομος Παπασαραντόπουλος'' ''', 1903-1972) was a pioneering [[missionary ]] who laboured to spread the [[One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church|Orthodox faith]] in [[Archdiocese of Kampala and All Uganda|Uganda]], [[Archdiocese of Kenya|Kenya]], [[Archdiocese of Mwanza|Tanzania]], and [[Archdiocese of Central Africa|Congo]].

===Childhood Yearsyears===Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos was born Christos Papasarantopoulos in 1903 in Vasilitsi, [[w:Messenia|Messenia]], Greece to Theodoros Papasarantopoulos and Stavroula Trigourea (''afterwards [[Nun]] Sebastiani''), the seventh child of the family. He was born into a devout Christian home, and from childhood he devoted his life to Christ. At the age of 10 he lost his father, and was forced to leave school in order to work. At 15 years of age he left his family home in secret and went to settle at the [[w:Koroni|Koroni]] [[monastery ]] in order to pursue his longing for the spiritual life; however he soon left this monastery since his relatives would visit him and beg him to return to the family. Afterwards, he went to Kalamata, to the then well-known Hermitage of Panagoulakis (Holy Monastery of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary),<ref group="note">Hermitage of Panagoulakis in Kalamata, Greece (Greek: Ιερά Μονή Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου Παναγουλάκη). This monastery is currently [[Old Calendarist]] and not in communion with the [[Church of Greece]].</ref> known for its strict [[asceticism]]; here he became a [[monk]]. The excesses of the [[Igumen ]] there and the very strict lifestyle of that Hermitage overcame him and left him him with a permanent health problem.

===Later Yearsyears===During the years 1920-1929 Archimandrite Chrysostomos stayed at the Holy Monastery of Gardikiou (Moni Gardikiou), in Messenia.<ref>[http://www.mmess.gr/gardikiou.php?lang=en Holy Metropolis of Messenia]. Holy Monastery of Gardikiou.</ref> On [[May 4|May 4th]] 1926 he was [[Ordination|ordained]] into the [[Presbyter|priesthood]], and was appointed as the [[Igumen]] of that monastery.At some point he [[Tonsure|tonsured]] his mother as a [[Nun]]. For several years he served the surrounding villages as the officiating [[priest]]. During this period Fr. Chrysostomos found time to complete his school studies (via [[w:Homeschooling|Homeschooling]]), and undertook to learn the French language. After the disestablishement of the Monastery of Gardikiou (due to lack of personnel), Fr. Chrysostomos transferred to the [[Metochion]] of the Holy Monastery of Voulkano, Chrysokellaria, near [[w:Koroni|Koroni]].<ref group="note">(Greek: Παλαιά Ιερά Μονή Βουλκάνου). This Byzantine monastery dates from the year 725 A.D. according to tradition.</ref>

During the course of his studies in Athens he came into contact with certain colleagues of African descent, who may have inspired him towards his forthcoming mission. The African students at the University were from Uganda, and represented the first native Orthodox Christians from Uganda to be formally educated in the Orthodox faith. One of these fellow students, [[Theodoros Nankyamas of Kampala and All Uganda|Theodore Nankyamas]], would later play a prominent role and become one of the first Orthodox bishops [[bishop]]s in East Africa. Another, Demetrios Mumbale, would become the first Orthodox physician and founder of an Orthodox medical clinic in Uganda.<ref name=VERONIS>Fr. Alexander Veronis ([[Orthodox Christian Mission Center|OCMC]]). ''[http://books.google.ca/books?id=W1QiVpBKfhYC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false Orthodox Concepts of Evangelism and Mission].'' In: Paul Wesley Chilcote, & Laceye C. Warner (Eds.). '''The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church'''. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2008. pp.279-294.)</ref> In the event, after many years of faithful service in his native country, he experienced a strong leading, a true "Macedonian Call,"<ref group="note">Acts 16:6-10.</ref> to go as a [[missionary]] to Africa.<ref name=MAKARIOS>[[Makarios (Tillyrides) of Kenya]]. ''Sermon at a Memorial Service for the Pioneer Missionary Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papasarantopoulos, at the Church of St. Paul, Kagira, 29 December, 1993.'' '''Adventures in the Unseen, Volume 1.''' Orthodox Research Institute, 2004. pp.115-119.</ref>

At the age of 57 Fr. Chrysostomos decided to go on his mission to Africa, venturing forth in full confidence that the God who called him would also provide for his needs and support.<ref name=VERONIS/>. The Archbishop archbishop at that time, as well as his acquaintances, tried to discourage him on the pretext of his advanced age and state of health. However during a trip to the [[Holy Land]], he met the Patriarch of Alexandria [[Christophoros II of Alexandria|Christophoros II]] from whom he obtained the blessing,<ref group="note">Formal ecclesiastical permission to undertake an action is referred to as a "blessing". The blessing may be bestowed by a bishop or priest, or by one's own spiritual father.</ref> thus resolving to continue the mission.

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